English

negotiator

gb/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/ us/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
B2 English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 entity
1

person who negotiates agreements

A person who talks with different sides to try to reach an agreement, often in business, politics, or during a conflict.

Usage pattern: [someone] is a negotiator between [group] and [group]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'negotiator' with 'mediator'. A 'negotiator' may represent one side or be neutral, while a 'mediator' is almost always a neutral third person. Learners also sometimes say 'he is negotiate' instead of 'he is a negotiator'; remember that 'negotiate' is the verb and 'negotiator' is the noun for the person.
Synonyms
mediator (Often suggests a neutral third party who helps two sides find a solution, while a negotiator can be either neutral or represent one side.)
Antonyms
hardliner (A hardliner refuses to compromise or make deals, which is the opposite attitude of a negotiator who looks for agreement.)
Collocations
skilled negotiator |tough negotiator |chief negotiator |lead negotiator |peace negotiator |hostage negotiator
Themes
business |politics |law |conflict |communication
Examples
  • The company hired an experienced negotiator to handle the union talks.
  • As the chief negotiator, she spent months trying to reach a peace deal between the two countries.
  • Police sent in a trained negotiator to speak with the man holding the hostages.
  • He proved to be a tough negotiator and refused to accept the first offer.
  • International negotiators will meet in Geneva to discuss the trade agreement.
Learner examples
  • My uncle is a negotiator for a big company.
  • The negotiator helped the two sides find a deal.
  • Police called a negotiator to talk to the man in the bank.
  • She is a very good negotiator in business meetings.
  • The workers chose one negotiator to speak for them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
negotiator
IPA
GB/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
US/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
ne - go - ti - at - or (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (go)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: negotiator
  • Plural: negotiators
Word family
Forms
negotiators noun
Core family
negotiate verb B1 negotiation noun B1 negotiable adjective
Related words
renegotiate verb renegotiation noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-negotiable adjective
Advanced or less common
negotiability noun
Expressions

chief negotiator

1
/t͡ʃˈif nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

main person leading negotiations

The person who is in charge of a group during talks and speaks for that group in a negotiation.

Examples
  • The chief negotiator will present the union's demands tomorrow.
  • As chief negotiator, he signed the final version of the trade agreement.

hostage negotiator

1
/hˈɔstɪd͡ʒ nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

police specialist for hostage talks

A police or security officer whose job is to talk with someone holding people as hostages and try to end the situation safely.

Examples
  • The hostage negotiator spoke calmly to the gunman for over two hours.
  • Police immediately called a hostage negotiator to the scene of the bank robbery.

lead negotiator

1
/lˈid nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

primary negotiator for a side

The person who has the main responsibility for talking for one side in a negotiation.

Examples
  • She was appointed lead negotiator for the government's team.
  • Their lead negotiator is known for being very patient and strategic.

peace negotiator

1
/pˈis nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

person negotiating to end conflict

A person who takes part in talks to try to stop a war or violent conflict and create peace.

Examples
  • International peace negotiators arrived in the region to start talks.
  • She worked as a peace negotiator in the Middle East for many years.

skilled negotiator

1
/skˈɪld nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

very capable negotiator

A negotiator who is very good at reaching agreements and getting good results in talks.

Examples
  • Our manager is a skilled negotiator who always gets a fair price.
  • You need a skilled negotiator if you want to close this deal.

tough negotiator

1
/tˈʌf nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase

strict, demanding negotiator

A negotiator who does not give in easily and pushes hard to get the best deal for their side.

Examples
  • She's a tough negotiator and won't accept a weak offer.
  • Buyers know he is a tough negotiator, so they come prepared.

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